Ceremonies with Jaya

Reflecting on last year’s Fall Wedding with and Eric at 📷 the amazing

Love this space! Right near Bloor and Dundas W

Meghan + Zack, and me jumping out of the way for their first kiss 💋 😝 📷 venue: Planner: (the best! I did her mum’s wedding, and then hers!)rourke 💕

On this day last year, in Paris, Ontario, I got to marry the amazing and Grace Gibney. What a beautiful expression of love, artistry, book-love, and quirkiness. I had SO much fun—and was a guest as well! It is such an honour to be entrusted with a family member’s special day. My kids, partner and I all had a real hoot. May your renewals be as joyful as those of Grace & Courtney 💕 🌈 👰 👰

Hollis + Sonya had the sweetest Thank You gift! Coffee from and Tapped Out maple syrup by in Egbert, ON. I love consumable gifts! No clutter, just joy 💕

Not sure my avatar fits…my daughter is very good with these things so I think she’ll be able to figure it out :)

-18. -18?! Jeepers. I was going to post yesterday because I thought my mileage was cute with all those 1’s and 7’s…but MINUS EIGHTEEN. Folks. I hope you can be inside today because that’s quite chilly.

I used to get to meet all my couples in person first, but since Covid it’s always Zoom. I appreciate so much the window into folks’ lives in those video interviews. Caitlin had items on the wall that made me say “you are my people!” and it clicked. It was all perfect.

This was such a special ceremony, in a small apartment, cared for by nearest and dearest. A true expression of love by a family member to support this union 💜

Revisiting reviews I haven’t posted :) some of my earliest work 💜

I’ve been trying to lean more into Ceremony as a way of life, a way of making small moments special and holding up the bit of magic available to us through our senses, through the everyday. I’m not much of a candle person, but beeswax candles (especially by local beekeepers and artisans in farmer’s markets) are so beautiful. I love the feel of the wax, so unlike the oily feel of scented wax, and the different ways they burn: enclosed in a glass holder, tea lights, stubby short ones, and long dipped tapers like this one. My stylish mother-in-law loaned me the beautiful green glass stand, and it recalls to me an image I loved growing up: going to bed with a candle in a holder with a little handle. Do you know the kind I mean? I can’t remember if I was reading ghost stories or what, but the image is so clear in my mind. Perhaps independence (a child who is no longer “tucked into bed”) and maybe something a bit dangerous. My own fire. Snuffing it before a dark slumber, pre-electricity. Do you use candles ever? For what?

Referrals are so important in a small business. Now that I’ve been officiating for a few years, I’ve had referrals from couples I’ve worked with, and this was a really special situation. called me about her mum’s wedding, and we really clicked. Her mum’s wedding was magical, and it was such an honour to meet such a beautiful and loving family. Two years later, I got to do her stunning ceremony (I love a backyard wedding!). When I asked how best to thank her, Chayan said a donation to a food bank would be most welcome. I love this weaving together, what feels like a sisterhood, and experiencing gratitude through gifting. In my mind, this is a true practice of abundance, of creating a better way of being together as people. Isn’t that what marriage celebrates? Elevating a human bond, committing to it in word and action, and spreading the love 💕

Another wedding that is on my mind: Tasha & Dean in 2019. Their amazing daughter (yes, a wedding planner!) in the third pic had her wedding in their backyard recently. My first “repeat client” LOL. Not usually a thing as a wedding officiant!

Returning to this ceremony from last year, remembering and who are now PROUD PARENTS! The lovely attended their ceremony (along with many far-flung friends and family of the bride and groom) and recommended me to the couple for whom I officiated today! Full circle…I love the weaving of relationships in Toronto, it is so rich 💕

What? you don’t doodle caterpillars after a full day? I love love! It’s so dang beautiful. And today’s beautiful Mariel & Matthew shone over zoom to their UK friends and family 💕 in ‘ lovely backyard with .tonics for exquisite sipping

All the weddings go in here

This incredible detail from a dramatically theatrical (and theatrically dramatic) ceremony today that ended in a parade walking down to the Humber River. So much exuberant joy, so much smiling, sunshine in the sky, and symbolically represented in the timeless puppets of Clay and Paper Theatre 💕

New lewk who’s this?
I’ve neglected my IG for some time, not knowing what to share of myself. It is such an honour to attend to a couple speaking the powerful words of a vow over one another, with their community around them (in real life or virtual!) and my heart just wants to make space for the couple themselves. AND I want you to know me as best as possible, so that our work together can be transparent and fluid. So I am endeavouring to share more of myself here, and I’d love to hear from folks! // This photo was taken yesterday morning at the dog park where we take our almost-one-year-old redbone hound dog. The wind and the sun were delicious medicine.

Got to officiate a Quaker-style ceremony for a dear friend (and “Friend” in the parlance—Quakers are also known as members of the Religious Society of Friends;)
Ravi and Kristen also had a Saptapadi led by Ravi Joshi’s dad
📷 Charlotte Buckle Photography

Yesterday could not have been more perfect! Perfect weather, perfect drive into Toronto (if you know me at all you will know I am panicky/ road-rage-y in busy areas..and non-busy areas 🤣), and the perfect day for these two incredible people to get married! Kristen and Ravi truly embraced the changes that have come from Covid-19. But Ravi’s mom said something during their Quaker ceremony (which I had never seen one but now I am in love with them!) that really struck me in a good way. While many friends and family members from around the world tuned into Kristen and Ravi’s Quaker ceremony, Ravi’s mom had made the point that if it were not for Covid-19 and all of the restrictions, that many of their family friends would never have been able to be apart of their special day. Because things like zoom and the need/ want to connect visually since travel is not an option for most, they were able to set it up a way for everyone who wanted to be apart of their day could be! If it weren’t for zoom, many of Ravi’s relatives in India would not have been able to be apart of this time in their lives. How crazy is that?! So, though this is a difficult time for all of us, remember to look at some of the good that has come from this time as well. And it is only going to get better if we all work together! 💛

Please find my Reviews on Wedding Wire. Today’s wedding 🥰

I don’t expect a note of gratitude, but receiving one is always special. Thank you Caitlin and Robert for a very special Covid wedding with your nearest and dearest 🥰

Today’s wedding in the field near the groom’s childhood home. Where he made many memories, and where now, children adorn the branches with fairy magic. All predictions were for a stormy day—so there was definitely magic in the air! And nary a cloud

On Saturday I got to officiate for my cousin and his beautiful fiancée Alyson, in the barn they built themselves (which has seen two weddings in the last year!). I am so inspired by the distinct spaces folks create for their love-party a.k.a. their wedding. This one was nippy, but hearts were warmed. Can't wait to see the official photographs--these candids give a sense of it

This weekend I get to officiate the wedding of a family member! All the Love on Love-Day

Kejina & Jeremy's gorgeous June wedding was featured in Junebug Weddings It was a real honour! 📷 Photographer: Nikki Mills

“Everyone has an opinion about what your wedding should be like. Just stick to what’s important to you as a couple and focus on the things that honor your relationship.” 👈 A+ advice from Kejina & Jeremy who planned their wedding to feel like a cozy dinner party! See it on the blog now by hitting the link in our bio✨ // 📷 @nikkimillsphotographer / event planning by @lauraolsenevents / venue: @onlyonegallery / officiant: @ceremonieswithjaya / floral design by @joeybutta / catering by @thetemperedroom / makeup by @michsilvmakeup / hair by @joujouhair / dress by @catherine__deane via @sashandbustle / bridal accessories by @theloved_one / groom’s apparel by @suitsupply / rings by @kcobespoke ​• ​• ​• ​• ​• ​#junebugweddings #loveauthentic #realwedding #justmarried #loveintentionally #weddinginspiration #weddingphotography #huffpostweddings #ido #loveandwildhearts #belovedstories #dirtybootsandmessyhair #photobugcommunity #torontowedding #weddingtips

In September I will officiate a wedding that integrates Quaker elements, which is my own spiritual tradition

Upcoming summer wedding I am excited about: will feature
a large fox puppet

I love how April Maciborka captured this July 13 wedding, and the sweet moment when Jasmine passed me the rings through a sea of groomsmen

Sandy & Amal November 2nd. Amal impressed me with his absolute meticulousness with every detail. Care is shown in so many beautiful ways 💕